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“My mother killed herself. And I found her. My father was already dead. I had no one, except an aunt I had no idea even existed. She put me in therapy to deal with the death of my parents, the finding my mom in a tub. And even because I was in a new school. And at first, it was nice to talk to someone.
“But it turned out he wasn’t really a therapist. Long story short, he was the brother of a mobster. He kidnapped me and tortured me. Raped me.” She pauses for a moment and steadies herself. Then she clears her throat. “I eventually got out. By burning the place and him to the ground. And after all that, I feared talking to anyone after it was all over.”
“Holy fuck,” I whisper, almost unable to believe it.
“But my husbands, well, they were my rocks. Mason would go with me to the sessions. He would sit there with headphones on if I didn’t want him listening in. I eventually became comfortable talking to someone. Someone who was qualified and an actual therapist. And I know Asher knows this person personally. So, you would be in good hands.” She reaches over and grabs hold of my hand. “Get the help. Get it out. Let those demons go.”
Her phone rings and cuts us off, and she reaches into her pocket and pulls it out.
I turn back to the practice as she holds her conversation. I watch as Drew stands on the mound, talking with Cameron. As Cameron finishes up, he heads back behind the plate and stares up at where I’m sitting.
We are the only ones in the stands at the moment. It’s just a practice, so it’s not hard to spot me. But his look. The thinning of his eyes at me. It sends shivers down my spine.
“Shit. I need to go check on something. I will be right back. Promise.” Phoenix stands up, her face remorseful.
“I’ll be fine. Go. Be boss lady.” I wave her off, and she nods as she takes off toward the top of the steps.
When she finally disappears through the concourse, I turn back toward the practice. I watch as they run around and throw from one player to another. I have no idea what they are doing, but the coach keeps yelling at them, so they must need work.
Suddenly, I have the urge to pee. Which makes sense with all this water I have been guzzling down. It’s fucking hot out here. Vegas weather isnotfun. Even in the shade. I watch as the guys form a huddle around their coach, and I figure now is a good time to go to the bathroom and get more water.
I get up and head up the short flight of stairs through an opening to the concourse and concession area. I follow the signsto the right that sayrestroomand head that way. I walk for a minute, and I find the women’s restroom, but it’s closed.
Well, shit.
Making my way around the stadium, I look for an open restroom. There is a weird feeling surrounding me as I walk through the concourse.
It’s a ghost town, with very few lights on. It’s eerie walking through here. There is this weird sense that I feel a presence behind me, but I turn around to see that no one is there. I continue walking, trying to shake that feeling. I finally find a bathroom that I think is on the complete opposite side of where I was. But whatever, I need to fucking pee.
I head inside and go to the first stall I see. I go about my business and stand up and button my jeans back up. The toilet flushes, and then suddenly the lights go out.
My blood runs cold. Shit.
I open the stall door to complete darkness. Well, double shit. You would think the timer on these lights would last longer than a few minutes.
I feel around for where I remember the sinks were when I walked in. Slowly, with my arms out, I wave them in front of me, looking to feel anything. A wall, the sink, another stall. As I step forward, I eventually run into what feels like a flat surface. Reaching out further, I find the faucet. I let out a sigh and try to see in the dark as I wash my hands.
After I finish, I slowly move along the counter to see if I can find a hand dryer or paper towel dispenser. When I get to the end, I can’t feel anything, so fuck it. I wipe my hands on my pants. It’s Vegas, it will dry the minute I step outside.
As I wipe my hands on my pants, I hear the door I came through shut and a click.
“Um, hello?” My voice shakes as I call out, fear suddenly taking over me. “Um, anyone in here?”
My breathing starts to pick up, and I can feel my heart racing in my chest. This has got to be a joke. A mistake. Someone didn’t realize I was in here with the lights off.
“Hello?” I call out again.
And then I hear it.
The sounds of someone breathing. My stomach drops at the realization that I’m not alone. And whoever is there is between me and my only exit.
Fuck.
I slowly try to see through the dark. Why are there no emergency lights on? There should be lights that come on!
I hear the squeak of their footsteps as they walk in the direction of me, the sounds getting louder with each slow step. For every step they take, I take one back.
I reach out, trying to find a wall or something to use as a guide so I don’t run into anything. I’m also hoping I can grab onto something that I can use to defend myself.